SHOPPING
A favorite pastime of nearly every visitor to Cozumel is shopping, and for good reason. This port offers good buys on woven hammocks; leather purses and sandals; cotton skirts, blouses and dresses for women as well as cotton shirts for men; ceramics; reproductions of Maya artifacts; brightly colored baskets; papier-mache figures; silver and gold; onyx; wood carvings; shells; and liquor.
Almost all stores take U.S. dollars as well as pesos. Often you’ll find prices marked in both currencies—and sometimes only in U.S. dollars. Most major credit cards are readily accepted. (You often can get a better price if you offer cash—U.S. dollars or pesos—instead of credit cards.)
The main shopping district surrounds the plaza and spreads out north and south along the malecon. Plaza del Sol shopping center is on the east side of the plaza, with two floors of crafts and jewelry. It opens onto a patio surrounded by silver and ceramic shops. The merchandise includes items from all over Mexico. Among the other shops in the vicinity is one of the world’s most upscale jewelers, Van Cleef & Arpels.
Los Cinco Soles, which occupies an entire block along the malecon north of the ferry pier, sells everything from jewelry, clothing and handblown glass to Mexican furniture and liquor. Farther along the malecon you’ll find Toucan, which sells Mexican blankets as well as things made out of papier-mache, onyx and clay. At Joyeria Palancar you’ll find gold and silver jewelry and other items. Ixtabay has hig h-quality, authentic Mexican handicrafts.
The island Mercado, a food market where you can buy Mexican pottery and local spices, is inland, fronting Calle Adolfo Rosado Salas between Avenida 20 Sur and Avenida 25 Sur. You’ll see plenty of Cuban cigars being sold, but be aware that they still cannot be brought legally into the U.S.
If you aren’t shopping for anything in particular, your best bet is to just stroll along the main shopping streets and see what catches your fancy.
Be aware that the local shops recommended by tour operators, taxi drivers and your ship’s port lecturer generally pay for the privilege. Prices at the shops recommended by the ship may be somewhat higher than others, but passengers usually get a money-back guarantee, valid for 30 days. As always and everywhere, buyer beware.
Shopping Hours: Most stores are open daily 10 am-1 pm and 4-8 pm—but not all stores close for siesta.
BEACHES
Cozumel’s few beaches are delightful, but they don’t
compare in quality to those in Cancun or even Playa del Carmen. Even so, you
may want to spend all your time soaking up the sun on the clean,
fine-grained white sand and cooling off in the crystal clear turquoise
water. If you want to swim, stick to the beaches on the western side of the
island. Beaches on the eastern shore catch
the prevailing winds, so the
water is much rougher. The rocks and foaming surf do make that area very
picturesque, though.
The closest swimming beach to San Miguel is Sol Caribe, which is near the cruise-ship piers. Beaches get even better about 5 mi/8 km to the south, where you’ll find San Francisco Beach (complete with a nice beach bar and restaurant) and Palancar Beach. You can walk to Sol Caribe from the pier, but you’ll need to take a taxi to San Francisco and Palancar (expect to pay about US$2 per person, but be sure to bargain and set a price before you get into the car).
The best beach—also the most crowded—is at Chankanaab National Park, south of the cruise-ship piers. M ost days you can still find a stretch of sand on which to spread your towel. The water is great for snorkeling. There is also an excellent beach around Allegro’s Diamond Resort, which is a wonderful spot to dive as well. Good hamburgers and other finger food are available on the beach by the resort.
Some of the loveliest beaches on Cozumel are on the east side, and they’re usually quite deserted. But beware: The reason no one’s there is because the beaches there have dangerous riptides. These two spots are usually calm enough for swimming: Chen Rio and Punta Chiqueros, both are near Punta Moreno and both are in sheltered coves. You’ll need a car or a taxi (bargain with the driver—the fare should be US$5-$8) to reach both beaches. Chiqueros has a restaurant; Chen Rio has no facilities.